- This event has passed.
Carnival Mask Making Workshop with Artist Domingo “CRUDO” Cruz
CARNIVAL MASK MAKING WORKSHOP with artist Domingo “CRUDO” Cruz
Open to All Ages
Participants younger than 10 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
(Child drop-off not allowed)
This workshop will center on carnival mask-making, an expression of celebration and freedom across the entire Caribbean and its global diaspora. It’s a time for people to honor their culture while reflecting on the struggles their ancestors endured.
Join us for an enjoyable afternoon of mask making with Dominican-American Artist Domingo Cruz, also known as CruDo. Domingo’s art pays homage to the traditions of the Dominican Carnival, its rich history, and the intricate craft of elaborating carnival masks. He conducts numerous workshops on this subject across various institutions in the tri-state area.
Save your spot: Register with $5 suggested donation or donate-what-you-can
About the featured artist:
Domingo Cruz was born in Harlem, raised in Washington Heights, and currently resides in the South Bronx. Although he is a true New Yorker at heart, his sentiments also extend to the Dominican Republic and its rich culture, the land from which his parents immigrated. Under his artistic moniker, CruDo, Domingo creates art that pays homage to both NYC and the DR, highlighting their organic yet colorful intersections. Specifically, Domingo is well-versed in the traditions of the Dominican Carnival, its history, and the intricate craft of elaborating carnival masks. He conducts numerous workshops on this subject across various institutions in the tri-state area.
Domingo takes pride in utilizing sustainable materials in his art. In fact, his artistic name “Crudo” means “raw” in Spanish, reflecting his penchant for reimagining raw or existing items. His primary materials include reclaimed wood (primarily plywood, given its often-overlooked nature), cloth, papier-mâché, acrylic paint, and acrylic plastic. He blends these materials together, drawing from his expertise in laser cutting, carpentry, and papier-mâché, to create pieces that not only showcase his artistic prowess but also serve to uplift and educate those who appreciate his work. Additionally, he actively engages with the community as a cultural and self-love ambassador.Domingo fosters connections within the community through an Art Bus that he transformed from a retired mini NYC DOE school bus. This mobile studio and store also serve as a cultural sanctuary on wheels, which he shares with inner-city youth throughout New York City.
With a career spanning several decades, Domingo has collaborated with esteemed institutions such as the Department of Education, ExpandED Schools, Rutgers University, The Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation, The BELL Foundation, and the Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center in Washington Heights. Presently, Domingo serves as a proud teaching artist for City Lore, where he imparts his knowledge and experience as an artist to continue making a meaningful impact on the lives of inner-city youth in NYC.
Art Making Workshops @ The Children’s Art Carnival are made possible with funding from West Harlem Development Corporation.